Are you concerned about your beloved home falling prey to a wrecking ball? Looking for a way to protect it? An option is to apply for Protected Landmark status. In a nutshell, here are some of the details.
Buildings have to meet three of these general requirements to qualify as a protected landmark:
50 years old or older*
Example of an identifiable architectural style*
Associated with a known architect, builder or craftsman.
Important building to the community or scene of a significant event in the community*
Illustrates how the neighborhood developed or last surviving example in its neighborhood*
Associated with a family or individual prominent in the community.
The four with asterisks are the most common qualifiers. When it says community, it can just be the neighborhood; it does not have to be the whole city.
The ordinance is concerned with structural changes to the house: things like replacing windows and doors, enlarging the openings. Substantial changes. You can also build additions to the house as long as they don’t dominate the historic portion. All these kinds of changes have to be submitted to the preservation office for approval before the work is begun.
At the owners request, Preservation Houston can produce the protected landmark nomination at no charge. Contact Preservation Houston at 713-510-3990 for more information.